Halliburton admits it destroyed Gulf of Mexico evidence

The American contractor that worked for BP on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig
has admitted destroying evidence relating to its explosion in 2010 – an
accident which sparked the biggest oil spill in US history.

The Deepwater Horizon explosion killed 11 men and caused billions of dollars worth of damage to fishing and tourism businesses in the region.Photo: Getty Images

Halliburton had advised BP to include 21 “centralisers” in the oil well being drilled by Deepwater Horizon. However, BP chose to use six of the metal protrusions, which are fixed to the outside of a long metal pipe lowered into the well, and used to keep it centred so it does not crash into the walls of the well.

BP had asked Halliburton for the simulation numerous times, and in 2011 resorted to legal action.

It claimed in a lawsuit that Halliburton had “intentionally” destroyed evidence in order to “eliminate any risk” that it would be used against the Houston company at trial.

Halliburton’s guilty plea must be approved by the courts before it is formally accepted, or before the Department of Justice can impose the maximum fine of $200,000.

In a statement, Halliburton said: "The Department of Justice acknowledged the company’s significant and valuable cooperation during the course of its investigation, and the company has agreed to continue to cooperate with the Department of Justice in any ongoing investigation related to or arising from the incident."